Hot Tips

The primary 4 class in Biggar Primary School worked alongside Biggar High School students to carry out a survey of Fairtrade products stocked by the local community shops.

Using the information gathered from last session the Primary 3 class decided to make a Fairtrade directory for Biggar. They arranged the information gathered it in tables during ICT time.

They then held a competition to design front covers for the directory and the winning designs were reproduced along with the Fairtrade information to create the completed directory.

The children then distributed the Fairtrade Directory to the local shops and Tourist Information Centre for distribution during Biggar Little Festival an annual community event.

The pupil council then decided to repeat the survey from the previous session to prepare for a Fairtrade Street Treasure Hunt.

The children were also able to compare results from both surveys.

They discovered that

• More shops in The High Street now stock Fairtrade products.
• Shops that had previously stocked Fairtrade products had in general increased the range of Fairtrade products that they were selling.
• Two shops had closed down and new ones had opened in their place.
• One shop that had previously stocked Fairtrade products no longer did so.

 

These children from Trelawnyd School in Wales made leaflets inviting people from their village to see what they had been doing for Fairtrade. They had a competition for the best leaflet and piece of persuasive writing. They then delivered the leaflets around the houses in Trelawnyd.

The S4 Finance and Enterprise are studying Enterprise and Employability as part of their course work.  They have to organise events to show that they are enterprising and can work together individually and together as a group. 
They decided that they would organise the sale of Ubuntu cola as their Enterprise task.
The first step was to ask permission from Senior Management.  Two of the pupils decided to make an appointment to see the Head teacher and ask for his permission rather than write to him.
They then decided to put together their order and approached the member of the Support Staff who is responsible for orders in both HE and the school in general.
They decided to write it out in pretty pink pen and gave it to her to order. 
They decided that they would also sell Dubble bars as if their order was over £60 they would get free delivery.
They then approached the teacher in HE to ask if they could store the cola in the fridges so that it would be cold when they sold it.
They then had to organise a float with one of the office staff so that it would be picked up on the morning of the sale.
They all turned up and sold the cola and dubble bars within 10 minutes.

 
Jordan S – ‘I enjoyed the organising of this event and would like to do it again.’
Jordan G – ‘I like doing this type of project.  It makes learning fun.’
Ashleigh B – ‘It was good that so many people wanted to buy the cola.’
Jack B – ‘I enjoyed helping to see Mr Herbert to get permission to sell.’
Megan C – ‘It has helped my confidence working together.’

Interest in promoting Fairtrade at St Bede’s School was sparked when a member of teaching staff who also volunteered for Fairtrade, highlighted the needs of producers in the developing world. Her enthusiasm created an interest amongst staff and a project to raise awareness within the school and local community began. The school adopted a Fairtrade policy, established a Fairtrade steering group and integrated the Fairtrade message into the curriculum. The project has increased knowledge and understanding of communities in other parts of the world. The school has seen a change in purchasing habits with parents and teachers now choosing Fairtrade where they didn’t before. The pupils have taken part in lots of various activities, including designing key rings to support Fairtrade.

Key outcomes 

• Children, families, staff and local community have increased awareness of the importance of Fairtrade to communities in the developing world.
• Families and staff have changed their purchasing habits and are now choosing more Fairtrade options.
• Increased links with local community groups and volunteers.
• Children have better understanding of communities in other parts of the world.

The Award

All this hard work has been acknowledged by the North West Together We Can Award Scheme. Awards are presented to groups who work on community projects. Groups were invited to apply for the award for work within the community when they had demonstrated good community cohesion and had improved something by working collaboratively within the community. The application from St Bede’s School was based around ‘Spreading the Fairtrade Message’.
Staff and governors from the school attended the award ceremony and were greeted warmly by a number of local agencies who were very pleased with the application and very impressed with the commitment and dedication of the children – along with the support of the school and local community.
As this award was primarily to acknowledge the work of the children, Eve Davidson and Helena Kettleborough from Stockport came into school to present the children with the award at the beginning of May. The visitors were very impressed with the children and thoroughly enjoyed their visit. The knowledge and understanding of the children and their enthusiasm for Fairtrade across the world is something that St Bede’s School is very proud of at.

• Read more about the school’s project, including how they have created key rings to support Fairtrade, on p. 36 of the brochure 'NWTWC Community Empowerment Awards': http://www.nwtwc.org.uk/uploads/community_empowerment_case_studies_2.pdf

Here are some poems the children from St. Brendan’s School in Lanarkshire have written for their Fairtrade Poetry book:

If you really care,
And want a world that’s fair,
with lots of things to share,
then spread the word
everywhere.
That’s Fairtrade!

  By Tony Pirie and Jamie Rankin, Primary 5

Change today, choose Fairtrade
Look at the difference it has already made
I am very lucky I have a bed
But poor children sleep on the floor instead
I don’t want things to be this way
So make a difference to their day
So every time you go to the shop
Always look for the green and blue spot.

  By Collette Wilson, Primary 6

Farmers
Are
In their
Rights
To
Receive
A good
Day’s
Earnings

  By Andrea Groom, Primary 3

“At Redhill, we pride ourselves on our commitment to the idea of Fairtrade. In 2010, we  launched our new look Fairtrade sports t-shirt!”
Michelle Sedgebeer, Sustainable School Co-ordinator

Redhill Primary School in Telford was one of the first schools in the UK to introduce Fairtrade cotton into their uniform. It all began in spring 2010, when the school decided to launch a new range of sports t-shirts. Pupils took the opportunity to research the cotton trade. They learnt about the injustices facing cotton producers in the developing world, and the difference Fairtrade can make.

Fighting for Fairtrade!

Armed with their research, the pupils launched a campaign to persuade governors, parents, and teachers to make the new t-shirts Fairtrade. They organised a fashion show, where pupils showed off their design talents whilst raising awareness about the meaning of Fairtrade for producers. The Fairtrade Steering Group also worked hard to gain media attention. They sent press releases to local newspapers, and even persuaded BBC Shropshire Radio to drop by and interview the young campaigners!

  
The pupils of Redhill Primary school raised awareness about Fairtrade by organising a fashion show for parents and teachers 

Too expensive?

The main concerns came from parents and teachers who thought Fairtrade t-shirts would be too expensive. The Fairtrade Steering Group soon put these concerns to rest! With some help from the teachers, the team decided that every child would receive one free t-shirt, paid for by fundraising activities. After this, the t-shirts would be sold for a reasonable £4.50 each.

With parents and teachers convinced, the decision was taken to launch the new-look, Fairtrade sports t-shirts in December 2010!

The Fairtrade campaign at St George’s Academy began when one year 9 form group, convinced of Fairtrade’s message, decided to set up a simple tuckshop in the school. Run by the students, and sourced by Traidcraft, the tuckshop proved to be an invaluable tool for teaching the skills necessary to run an ethical business. “Pupils’ self-esteem soars,” says Bob Stoner, teacher of the form. “Some of them may not be the most academically gifted.... nevertheless, they are entirely trustworthy and their grasp of business has improved in leaps and bounds.”

To complement the tuckshop, the teachers of St George’s developed some creative ways of teaching Fairtrade through the curriculum. In English, students wrote poems which were entered into the Divine Poetry Competition; in Art, the pupils designed posters for a competition which was judged by an external artist; in Maths, pupils were taught the relationship between the percentage of cocoa solids and the price of Fairtrade and non-Fairtrade chocolate bars; and in Graphics, the class produced new packaging designs for Fairtrade products.

Having conquered their school, the next step for the students of St George’s College was to convert their whole town to Fairtrade! They were at the forefront of Sleaford’s campaign, meeting with local business owners and members of the council. After a lot of work from both children and adults, the town of Sleaford earned Fairtrade status in June 2010!

Tavernspite Kick Off Fair Trade Football Challenge
 By Sharron Hardwick

• Fairtrade and football

Tavernsite County Primary School has taken up a Fair Trade football challenge, after a return visit from Voluntary Fair Trade Wales School’s Speaker, Sharron Hardwick.
During a whole school assembly Sharron shared some football facts, noting the vast expanse between the meagre 22p wages paid to some football stichers per ball, compared to other football workers. Reporting on her own above average wage received working for Stoke City FC and other professional players paid up to £100,000 a week.
 
“Fair Trade and football are often not linked. Working for a Premier League Football club makes me feel even more responsible for speaking out about the unfair wages paid to football stichers. We must act, support and buy Fair Trade in football; otherwise this unfairness will continue unnoticed.” said Sharron Hardwick

• The difference Fairtrade makes

The Fair Trade Wales assembly, and a year 2 lesson, taught the difference that Fair Trade makes. Fair Trade helps communities by providing premiums, monitors working conditions and practices, ensures fair pay - giving a living wage so workers and producers can afford accommodation, health care and school fees; meaning children can go to school, rather than working to bridge the deficit.
 
“I’m so impressed with the dedication of all at Tavernspite School. They are a school with a heart for fairness, leading the way for other schools to follow. The pupils in my year 2 lesson, listened and responded beautifully; producing some moving posters depicting the difference Fair Trade makes.” continues Sharron

• Fairtrade School

 
Mrs Julie Houghton, Year 2 teacher, has worked hard leading Tavernspite School to achieve its recent Fair Trade School status. Tavernspite are now the first School to take up this challenge, with football now high on their Fair Trade agenda, through Fair Trade football tournaments and the hope to purchase more Fairtrade balls immanent.

• The exciting challenge ahead

 
Sharron has high hopes of promoting Fair Trade in football, supported by Fair Trade Wales and Relief and Development Aid Agency Tearfund. Plans are to ask Pembrokeshire and Stoke–On-Trent schools, Church groups and amateur football clubs to support the Fair Trade in Football campaign and use Fairtrade Footballs. She wants to thank Stoke City, reporting that they use lots of Fair Trade certified products in catering at their training ground facilities, and hopes to ask them to use and promote Fair Trade in their football, where possible, and elsewhere at the club.
 
If enough support is generated, Sharron will approach the Football Association asking them to consider using Fairtrade balls. The F.A. control which balls are used by football clubs in their games.
 
“I have a dream to see 100% Fair Trade in football. This is a massive challenge! Local teams like Kilgetty A.F.C, Haverfordwest County and Tenby A.F.C have shown interest; now local schools are getting on board. I hope support will grow, and our desire for fairness is heard.” concludes Sharron

For information or to receive a Fair Trade Wales Schools visit: schools@fairtradewales.com www.fairtradewales.com

Fifty students, a dozen members of staff and their families produced a truly dazzling ‘Wear Fair’ fashion show at Ringwood School. Organised and introduced entirely by a great team of sixth formers, they sourced the clothes and jewellery, arranged Fairtrade refreshments and choreography, and worked with younger members of the school and Ringwood community. The result was a very special event that represented the climax of the school’s Fairtrade activities this year.

  
 Designed to coincide with Ringwood town’s festival and with the school’s art exhibition that night, the ‘Wear Fair’ show introduced its enthusiastic audience to clothes for all ages that had been ethically sourced.  Fairtrade garments were the principal focus. Many were loaned by Ringwood’s own ethical, eco and Fairtrade shop Timber. Sixth form students wrote to various firms and eventually a fine selection of clothes were obtained from People Tree and Gossypium. Students were thrilled to receive some clothes with the endorsement of Emma Watson the young actress with a conscience, who plays Hermione in the Harry Potter movies!


Boys were initially less keen to model than the girls, but given the ‘prop’ of Fairtrade footballs on the catwalk, and appropriate music with a beat, they were persuaded to model Fairtrade cotton polo shirts! 
Fairtrade group students served Fairtrade wine and snacks at the end of the evening to appreciative parents and members of the public.
The school’s Fairtrade group is one of the most popular and successful of all extra curricular groups at the school. One of its great strengths is that it includes students from Years 7 to 13 and it provides a unique opportunity for younger students to get to know and to work with sixth formers. And the success of this was nowhere more apparent than duing the Wear Fair fashions how!

 
Students are keen to acknowledge the backing of Ringwood Town Council who lent some financial support to produce a large banner to advertise the event in town.